George O'Brien
ActingAbout George O'Brien
George O'Brien (April 19, 1899 – September 4, 1985) was an American actor, popular during the silent film era and into the talkie era of the 1930s, best known today as the lead actor in F. W. Murnau's 1927 film Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans. He also starred in East Side, West Side (1927), The Johnstown Floor (1926), and John Ford's The Iron Horse (1924). The day before his seventh birthday the Great Earthquake of 1906 hit San Francisco. He and his family nearly died and were homeless for months. He served in World War I and World War II.
George O'Brien Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of George O'Brien reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of George O'Brien's work falls within the Western genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 100% of George O'Brien's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Gay Caballero, which stands out as a key performance.
Best George O'Brien Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from George O'Brien's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie George O'Brien has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | The 10 from Texas | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | Korea | Narrator | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | She Wore a Yellow Ribbon | Maj. Mac Allshard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Fort Apache | Capt. Sam Collingwood | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Triple Justice | Brad Henderson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Prairie Law | Brill Austin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Marshal Of Mesa City | Cliff Mason | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Fighting Gringo | Wade Barton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Timber Stampede | Scott Baylor | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Trouble in Sundown | Clint Bradford | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Park Avenue Logger | Grant Curran | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Border Patrolman | Bob Wallace | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | O'Malley of the Mounted | Constable O'Malley aka Duke Kinnard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Thunder Mountain | Kal Emerson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Whispering Smith Speaks | Gordon Harrington, Jr. aka John 'Whispering' Smith | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Cowboy Millionaire | Bob Walker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Ever Since Eve | Neil Rogers | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Frontier Marshal | Michael Wyatt | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Last Trail | Tom Daley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Life in the Raw | Jim Barry | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Mystery Ranch | Bob Sanborn | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Gay Caballero | Ted Radcliffe | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Rainbow Trail | John Shefford | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Riders of the Purple Sage | Jim Lassiter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Fair Warning | Whistlin' Dan Barry | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Lone Star Ranger | Buck Duane | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Masked Emotions | Bramdlet Dickery | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | True Heaven | Lieutenant Philip Gresson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Blindfold | Robert Kelly | Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Honor Bound | John Oglegree | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Sharp Shooters | George | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans | The Man (Anses) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | East Side, West Side | John Breen | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | Is Zat So? | Ed 'Chick' Cowan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | 3 Bad Men | Dan O'Malley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Silver Treasure | Nostromo | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Rustlin' for Cupid | Bradley Blatchford | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Johnstown Flood | Tom O'Day | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Havoc | Dick Chappel | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Dancers | Tony | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Roughneck | Jerry Delaney | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Painted Lady | Luther Smith | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Man Who Came Back | Henry Potter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Shadows of Paris | Louis | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Woman-Proof | Bill Burleigh | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | The Ne'er-Do-Well | Clifford | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | Ebb Tide | Islander (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | The Ghost Breaker | One of the Ghosts (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | White Hands | Sailor | Super Hit | Similar → |
George O'Brien - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of George O'Brien?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring George O'Brien is "The Gay Caballero" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has George O'Brien acted in?
George O'Brien has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by George O'Brien?
Other notable films include "Life in the Raw", "Whispering Smith Speaks", and "Thunder Mountain".